20 Ways to Save Money on Home Remodeling Costs

Home remodeling has been on your mind lately, especially since you found another crack in the kitchen tile. As you daydream about what your kitchen could look like, you start to think about ways to save.

“Home remodeling is nice and all, but I’m not looking to break the bank.” Read below to find 20 ways to save on your home remodeling costs.

One of the best things you can do to save money is to research what you want. This will you give a clear idea what your home remodeling budget should be. Plus, you’ll get to see in person how certain styles look. You might think you want the trendy new tile, only to find out that simple subway tile is more your speed. Or maybe you discover some galaxy marble you just can’t live without. You can also use this time to determine what options to leave out for another home remodeling project.

The problem of not knowing what you want beforehand is that you could be talked into something more expensive. So shop around now to avoid needless spending later.

Do you want more natural light? Who doesn’t? Not only does natural light give you more vitamin D, but it can also improve your mood – until you look into the cost of adding a large window to your home remodeling plans.

But believe it or not, you can get more natural light without large windows. Introducing the “light tube.” A light tube is like a skylight, only it’s a metal tube that’s installed between your roof’s rafters. It funnels sunlight into your home through its glass opening.

The best part? It only costs $450-$500, which is way less than your typical double-pane window.

The Habitat for Humanity does a lot of good work. They build homes for people in need and sell new and gently used home appliances in their ReStores. If you’re looking for a good way to save and don’t mind used appliances, or materials, you could save big. They have locations all around Houston, so you can give them a quick peruse to see if they have what you’re looking for. To find a ReStore near you, check out their website.

Speaking of Habitat for Humanity, they have another helpful trick up their sleeve. Are you looking to freshen up your kitchen’s style? Do your fixtures work well? If so, the HFH will come to your home and remove your cabinets and fixtures for you. It’s a total win-win. You win because they’ll remove your fixtures and cabinets for free, and they win because you’ll donate what they remove. What’s more, This Old House reported that 85% of any given house can be reused. So if you’re wanting to change things up and help out a charity, try the HFH today.

We’ve talked before about DIY vs remodel. While we did advise leaving things mostly to the professionals, there are some things you can do yourself, like the demo. If you know what needs to be demoed and have a little experience in that area, there is nothing wrong with putting on your Chip Gains hat and going to town. However, if you’re demoing more than one room, we still think it’s best to call in the pros. If you’re only remodeling one room, demoing it yourself could save you about $500.

This tip might sound a little counter-intuitive, but hear us out. If you’re planning on using clapboard siding for your remodel it might be best to spring for the pre-painted option. They cost 10-20 cents more per foot, but when factoring in all the painting and repainting blank ones need, pre-painted clapboard could save you money.

One creative way to save money is to use leftover material from a previous project. So ask your contractor if they have leftover material that might for your home remodel. You’d be shocked at how much you could save.

Suppose this a moment. You’re planning out a home remodeling project but you’re not sure if your idea will work. Instead of wracking your brain for hours, why not consult an architect? You don’t have to hire them for the whole project. You could simply hire them for the day. They’ll meet up with you and quickly sketch out a few ways to implement your idea. If you like the outcome, you could then take the rough draft to a drafting service to get complete plans that your contractor can follow.

Have you been bitten by the DIY bug? It’s hard not to these days with channels like HGTV. One way you can do it yourself is to take lessons from a contractor. Instead of hiring a whole construction team, you’ll hire a solo contractor who will show how to complete your remodeling project. Some charge about $150 per hour with a two-hour minimum. But if your project is small enough for you to tackle, it’s worth it to have a pro on hand.

The best part? You can use what you’ve learned for similar projects you’re doing in the future.

Like with demoing, you can save money by offering to clean up after your construction company. By taking the time to sweep up sawdust you might be able to save around $200 a day. If your home remodeling project lasts several weeks, you could easily save a grand or more.

Are you doing some of the work yourself? Are you shocked by what it costs to deliver material? Why not get a single-axle utility trailer online? You can hitch it to your SUV for around $400 and use it to haul everything you need. The bonus is that you can sell it later when you’re done with it.

You should always prep your wall before remodeling. But sometimes walls are so damaged that the prep could cost more than you can afford. That’s where Textureglas come in. It’s a durable material that can cover your walls and be painted to match any color. So instead of wasting time and money to spackle, strengthen your walls with a layer of Texturglas for a fraction of the cost.

Do you ever buy generic products at the store? Say Kroger brand sugar? It’s cheaper than the name brand and sweetens your coffee all the same. If you’re looking to do something similar with hardwood floors, try Lyptus. It’s a eucalyptus hybrid that looks like mahogany and is sustainably harvested. The best part is you could save about $400 per 100 board feet.

This may sound extreme, but some contractors have suggested it. When a house has too many problems to fix, it might be better to tear it down and rebuild entirely. This would strengthen the foundation and give you time before you’d have to replace anything major, like the roof.

But the most important thing about rebuilding your home from scratch is that it could net you a better resale price.

The busiest season for a contractor is between summer and Christmas. If you want to save a few thousand off the total price of your renovation, try doing it during the start of the year. Your contractor might not have much work then and may be willing to go down on price.

Yes, this does sound strange. But if your home remodeling project doesn’t include a large build out, you might not need to consider the foundation. However, it’s always a good idea to check your local building codes to be sure.

One of the best ways to save is to keep sinks where they are. Rerouting all the underground/in-wall pipes really tacks on cost. So if you’re looking for a simple kitchen remodel, keep the sink and stove where they are.

A great way to save money is to stick with standard sizes. The more you need to custom cut material the more cost you add on. So be sure to consider the stock size material when planning your renovation.

Building supply auctions are a great way to get what you need for a micro-fraction of the cost. You won’t be able to get everything all at once, but if you keep attending one a few times a year you could snag pricey fixtures for almost nothing. It’s a great way to save on the things you want.

Another way to save money and kitchen space is to use better organization. Like Rev-A-Shelf. They offer many styles of hanging and pull-out shelves that allow for more storage and better organization. Plus, with all the extra space you won’t need the added expense of building out your kitchen.

Premier Remodeling is a full-service home remodeling company specializing in many different types of home renovations. We pride ourselves on the quality of our craftsmanship and the integrity and expertise of our team.

If you’re looking for a reliable remodeling contractor, call us at 713-532-1100 or click below to schedule an on-site visit to discuss your options.